Hemp substrate great
Wow. All these substrates to choose from. Hadn't really checked out reviews to this product whilst reordering a bunch of other Small Animal items here & making up numbers towards free delivery, so took a chance on a natural product as a change and its reasonable price (well, the sawdust I've used for years is natural too but it does make ME sneeze rather more than my rodents).
The 4-5 star rating is pretty impressive.
People mention the "dust" but personally I haven't really noticed that specifically, because I get just as much dross raising the substrate level in the cages from all the dander, poops, chewed wood/shavings and shredded cardboard/paper that my little beasties chuck around! However in the few weeks I've been using this German hemp product, I've noticed the cumulative odour in their room (yes, they have a room as I have over 50 Rescue gerbils and degus so they can get collectively a bit 'niffy' after a while) has greatly reduced. They are so much fresher, especially in summer heat, than I generally expect after about 3 weeks, so the absorbency must be really great and that's fine by me. Fewer cleanouts!
I was a bit concerned as the texture was a lot rougher than sawdust and reminded me of whole wheat grains but they seem happy enough. I'm a convert.